St. Patrick's Day Guide

Flogging Molly (above), Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, and The Cherry Cokes are scheduled to perform on Sunday, March 16, at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, and on Monday, March 17, at Tempe Beach Park. Visit »web link.

The word on the street is that Phoenix is gonna be going green, but it's got nothing to do with Al Gore. It's because the groovy Gaelic get-down known as St. Patrick's Day is about to strike the PHX, with everyone in Apache Junction to Avondale getting their Irish on. The only inconvenient truth here is that the holiday falls at the beginning of the workweek, which means you'd better plan on calling in sick the following morning. Why? Because the countless Celtic craics and other St. Paddy's parties happening at our favorite Irish pubs and other haunts around the Valley from Friday, March 14, to Monday, March 17, will keep you plenty busy sucking down Guinness and noshing on corned beef and cabbage all weekend long. Here are some select listings of where you can join the green party, yo.

Arizona Renaissance Festival12601 E. U.S. 60, Apache Junctionwww.royalfaires.comThe festival hosts special Celtic-themed events, including the Sexy Knees Kilt Contest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and the Wearin' o' the Green contest at 2 p.m. on Sunday (both at the Royal Pavilion). 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $18 adults, $6 for kids 5-12, free for those under 5. Call 520-463-2700.

Desert Ridge Marketplace21001 N. Tatum Blvd.Participants in the St. Baldrick's Day Celebration will raise funds for childhood cancer research by shaving their heads. Noon to 3 p.m. Visit www.stbaldricksday.org.

Margaret T. Hance Park1106 N. Central Ave.The 25th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Faire kicks off at 10 a.m., with floats, marching bands, step dancers, and other participants traveling from Third Street and Virginia Avenue to the west side of the park. The all-day festival encompasses the Irish Cultural Center and features Irish music and entertainment, dancing, bagpipers, food and drink areas, vendor and merchandise booths, arts and crafts, and children's activities. Until 5 p.m. $10 for adults, $1 for kids 6-12, free for those under 6. Call 602-280-9221 or see www.phxirish.org.

St. Patrick's Day Block PartyCraftsman Court between 3rd Ave. and 5th Ave., ScottsdaleThis block party encompasses Dos Gringos, Upper Deck Sports Grill, and Acme Bar, and includes access to all three bars, drink deals such as eight green beers for $20, live music, DJs, food vendors, and more. Runs until 2 a.m. Free before 9 p.m., $10 after 9. Visit www.scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com.

RESTAURANTS

Molly Brannigan's1744 S. Val Vista Dr., #101, Mesawww.mollybrannigans.comOpens at 8 a.m. for a "kegs and eggs" breakfast, with shepherd's pie and other Irish eats served all day, as well as promo schwag, music from G.K. Mack and The Insomniacs, and drink specials on Budweiser, Guinness, and Smithwick's. Open until 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-507-7827.

Molly Brannigan's1744 S. Val Vista Dr., #101, Mesawww.mollybrannigans.comShepherd's pie and other Irish eats will be served, with music from Oceans Apart starting at noon. 11 a.m. to midnight. Call 480-507-7827.

Wrigley Mansion2501 E. Telawa Trailwww.wrigleymansionclub.comA champagne brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $45 per person, $22.50 for kids under 12. Call 602-955-4079 for reservations.

BARS & CLUBS

Alice Cooper'stown101 E. Jackson St.www.alicecooperstown.comMusic by Volatile, TI22, Back from Neptune, and more, as well as giveaways, and drink specials. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10. Call 480-600-8717.

The British Open Pub1334 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdalewww.thebritishopenpub.comCorned beef and cabbage, chicken in whiskey sauce, stovies, colcannon, and Scotch eggs will be served. Drink specials all day, and a bagpipe and drum band performs at 6 p.m. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-941-4915.

Four Peaks Brewing Company1340 E. 8th St., Tempewww.fourpeaks.comSt. Paddy's Day breakfast buffet is served from 6 to 11 a.m., with drink specials, Irish dishes, and other surprises offered throughout the day. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-303-9967.

92nd Street Cafe9160 E. Shea Blvd., ScottsdaleAll-you-can-eat corned beef for $11.95, as well as Irish music and beers, DJs and dancing, and more. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-860-4003.

Skeptical Chymist Irish Restaurant15688 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdalewww.skepticalchymist.comThe Guinness and Oyster Festival features the shellfish with champagne and pints of the stout in the outdoor tent. There also will be live music, as well as traditional Irish cuisine, three different bars, oyster-eating challenges, and more. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. $10. Call 480-609-8677.

The Brickhouse1 E. Jackson St.www.brickhouse.tvHip-hop from the entire Living Legends crew, as well as Orchestra, Luckyiam, DJ KGB, and more. 9 p.m. $20 in advance, $22 at the door. Call 602-258-7880.

Callahan's Sports Bar & Grill3549 W. Thunderbird Rd.Corned beef and cabbage dinners, drink specials, as well as music from The 11th Hour at 5 p.m., and Shallow Water at 7:30 p.m. Open until 2 a.m. $10 after 5 p.m. Call 602-942-8500.

Club Red2155 E. University Dr., TempeLucky D's "Lucky Charm" CD release party with music by The Formula, Golden Tung, Woodpile, The Untouchables, and more than a dozen others. p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-966-4733.

The Dubliner Irish Pub3841 E. Thunderbird Rd.www.dublinerpub.comParking lot party featuring drink and shot specials, giveaways, and Irish food. Live entertainment starts at 10 a.m., and includes Four Hour Drive, Laura Rupejko, and others. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-867-0984 for cover.

Fibber Magees1989 W. Elliot Rd., Chandlerwww.fibbermageespub.comIrish breakfasts will be served at 8 a.m. inside, and a parking lot party will begin at 11 a.m. with a beer tent serving such treats as bangers, shepherd's pie, and corned beef and cabbage. There also will be giveaways, live music, and more. Outside events run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., while inside is open until 2 a.m. Call 480-722-9434 for cover.

Gallagher'sAll five Valley locationswww.gallaghersaz.comAll-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage (with single servings also available, appearances by promo girls, Irish music during the day, and DJs spinning all night. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 623-486-2118.

O'Donoghue's Irish Pub20469 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdalewww.odsaz.comA traditional Irish breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m., with Irish fare, traditional dancing, and drink specials available throughout the day. Live entertainment includes The Knockabouts at noon, Aengus Og at 4 p.m. and The Biffos at 9 p.m. Open until 2 a.m. $10 after 1 p.m. Call 480-585-6329.

A 16,000-square-foot tent party starts at 11 a.m. with fire-eaters, clowns, face painters, corned beef and cabbage, food vendors, and drink specials. Live entertainment from The McMorrows at 1 p.m., the McElligott Irish step dancers at 2 p.m., the Charge Michael Band at 3 p.m., Colleen Callahan at 5 p.m., a 26-piece bagpipe band at 6:30 p.m., J. David Sloan with Western Bred at 7 p.m., Envy at 9 p.m. $10. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-547-9406.

Rosie McCaffrey's Irish Pub906 E. Camelback Rd.www.rosiemccaffreys.comAnnual parking lot party starting at 6 a.m. with KEZ's Beth and Bill in the Morning show. Food includes corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, Reubens, and hamburgers. Live music includes Keltic Cowboys at 11 a.m., Brid Dower Band at 2 p.m., and 60 Degrees North at 6 p.m. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-241-1916 for cover.

Rúla Búla401 S. Mill Ave., Tempewww.rulabula.comIrish music and entertainment will be offered all day, as well as promo giveaways and a full menu of traditional Irish food. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-929-9500 for cover.